TETFUND needs support

These projects really touch not only the lives of Nigerian universities students but also Colleges of Education and Polytechnics, respectively. Though the acronym TETFUND means Tertiary Education Trust Fund, even primary and secondary school students benefit from its generosity.Far beyond what a layman practically sees in terms of constructed theatres, auditoria, laboratories, staff offices, buses, […]

These projects really touch not only the lives of Nigerian universities students but also Colleges of Education and Polytechnics, respectively. Though the acronym TETFUND means Tertiary Education Trust Fund, even primary and secondary school students benefit from its generosity.
Far beyond what a layman practically sees in terms of constructed theatres, auditoria, laboratories, staff offices, buses, etc, TETFUND silently provides money for conducting research, publication of journals and most importantly supporting academic staff to obtain high degrees, at home and abroad.
Regrettably, this singular and giant effort of TETFUND, which is meant to transform the Nigerian education sector, and which has already made tremendous achievement in that direction, is either being misconceived by many state governments or the zeal and passion of doing more, by the leadership of TETFUND, is exploited by not only the state governments but also the federal ministry of education.
Apparently, most state governments do not build staff offices, lecture venues, and NCCE accreditation requirements. The few states that put something in their institutions are mostly when accreditation is around the corner. The moment it is over, they will not even attempt to refer to such institutions, no matter how shambled they will look, until another round of accreditation approaches.
Even in the federal universities and federal colleges of education, if one removes the structures put in place by TETFUND, I think only the skeletal of the institutions will remain. This therefore necessitates one to think that maybe the state governments and university authorities are not given anything from the federal account, to cater for education.
Since a single tree does not make forest, no matter how gigantic the tree looks, the state governments, at this era of change, must play roles in financing their institutions properly. The federal ministry of education should also discharge its responsibilities. TETFUND is just to complement not to shoulder the entire burden. If all and sundry put hands on deck, TETFUND will contribute more, second to what PTF did, under the transparent leadership of Muhammadu Buhari.

Mohammed Bello Umar, writes from Azare, Bauchi State, [email protected]